SUNDAY TRADE RUMORS UNPLUGGED

Source: AP

As the MLB trade rumors continue to scorch, the hot stove is lit which means trades can happen at a moment's notice. Here is the run down of whose the talk of the trades and who is vying for the new guy in town.

Let's start with the Yankees and yes, of course DJ LeMahieu. According to a Tweet by Jim Bowdon, MLB Analyst & Insider for CBS Sports, "The #Yankees have made it clear that bringing back  2B D.J. LeMahieu is their top priority. As the negotiations grind on it’s also evident that LeMahieu preference is to return to the Bronx Bombers." That is the kind of Tweet that I want to hear and save with my favorites however Bowdon also notes that, "The wild card may be the crosstown Mets, who recently lost second baseman Robinson Cano to suspension. LeMahieu would be an ideal replacement, and new owner Steve Cohen has indicated he's willing to spend to win," reports CBS Sports.  Ugh. Delete that idea completely. Listen, LeMahieu has said he wanted to be a Yankee when he was not even guaranteed an everyday spot. There is mutual interest. This deal will get done. It is just a matter of when. 

Also heating up is the Washington Nationals interest in Kris Bryant. "Bryant, 29, is coming off a poor 2020 season and there has been speculation Chicago could non-tender him next month rather than pay him a projected $19 million or so salary in 2021. Despite his name value, the prospect cost to acquire Bryant in a trade could be relatively small given his projected salary and rough season," reports CBS Sports. After losing Anthony Rendon last season there has been an offensive hole in the lineup, so perhaps the Nats will go for Kris. The Nats have also expressed interest in LeMahieu. Delete that too. 

Another third baseman on the market is World Series Champion Justin Turner. He is a free agent and could find a new team in 2021. The Dodgers have a keen interest in Colorado Rockie Nolan Arenado and have for some time. "It of course remains quite possible that Turner returns to the Dodgers, but if that doesn't come to pass then L.A. may have designs on another offseason blockbuster," reports CBS Sports. Hey, it would be interesting, but my mind is on Turner returning. We have a terrific wild card at third, Gio Urshela. No interest there. 

If I had my druthers, I would like the Yankees to wrap up the LeMahieu contract by Thanksgiving Day so they can go into the Winter Meetings a week or so later with more focus on pitching and catching. Being distracted by the LeMahieu situation compromises the Yankees decision making process. So, as the last full week of November approaches, let's just get this done and move on. The rest of the trade rumors are interesting but for Yankee fans we are only zoned in on one. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof